Chicago shopping guide... Part I.. and II

[LA Guy]

Chicago is a pretty classic city. Not classic like London, with its tailoring trade and aristocratic propriety. And not like Florence, where every cobblestone and sport coat is imbued with history and tradition. It’s classic in a way that’s equal parts rugged Americana and serious business.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Chicago was at the heart of the American garment trade, and more specifically, the American ready-to-wear menswear explosion. It was not long ago that men switched over to ready made clothes, and Chicago was a catalyst for that switch—urban legends claim one in three garments in the U.S. passed through Chicago.

But Chicago’s history doesn’t weigh it down. Horween Leather (founded 1905) and Oxxford Clothes (1906) sit alongside newcomers like Haberdash and Optimo Hats. Chicago’s merchants seem to share a passion...

Read more here

 

[F. Corbera]

I didn't click the link, but do you talk about deep dish pizza in the article?

 

[LA Guy]



I didn't click the link, but do you talk about deep dish pizza in the article?

You have to click on the link to find out. All good things go to those who click.

 

[LA Guy]

I mean dick.

 

[LA Guy]

sorry. I really meant click.

 

[jrd617]



At the turn of the century, New York was at the heart of the American garment trade. Chicago was at the heart of the American meatpacking and mechanical reaper industries.

FTFY

 

[NotoriousMarquis]

I really appreciate this list. Living in chicago is a bit maddening. Deepdish is terrible—but maybe its amazing, and I'm just a native new yorker.

The real qualm I have is that it's impossible to get around easily. Once again, I've just been spoiled by NY and Paris where one can travel from one end of the city to the other in no time at all. WIth a car this city is probably much better. I kind of like Haberdash but it's also kind of unsettling because in many ways the store is a caricature of similar stores in brooklyn, but not tongue in cheek . The people that work there are really really hip. The thing I love about Epaulet and such stores is that they have a lot of collaborations with designers and companies, but Haberdash just has the goods you need to look trendy in terms of blogosphere . I guess its a lot like Jcrew.



Seriously though, thanks for this list; even if I cant afford to shop in them, one of my favourite things to do is spend time in nicer stores. i get to do it in NYC but I never really know where to go in Chicago. And on occasion, sometimes, if I can just perhaps somehow get the money together I buy something I truly love.

So I'm looking forward to the next installments . I'm sure somewhere along the line I'll find something in one of them that can put a nice little dent in my piggy bank, by which I will remember my time here.

 

[LA Guy]

Next installment is up here:

http://blog.styleforum.net/?p=946

 

[Thanks SF (a new me)]

Great list. I think George Greene and Syd Jerome are destinations as well...